Exhibition Designer/Preparator

About the Employer

Exhibition Designer/Preparator

Position Summary

This position supports the Weatherspoon Art Museum's priorities through the timely and thorough completion of all aspects of collections care and exhibition installation. This includes handling, preparing, installing, storing, packing, and shipping artwork.

In consultation with the museum curators, the Exhibition Designer/Preparator participates in exhibition design, scheduling, and layout. This individual executes safe handling and movement of artwork to support teaching with the collections. They lead the design and production of exhibition and print materials that support the museum's programs, ensuring a consistent, sophisticated, and mission-aligned visual presence across all collections and exhibition touchpoints.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalency and one year of experience that demonstrates possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work; or equivalent combination of training and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or the equivalent in experience and certification.

Two years of relevant professional experience.

Spatial or exhibition design experience preferred.

Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud, including InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, VectorWorks, SketchUp, and related applications.

Strong understanding of typography, layout, visual hierarchy, and identity systems.

Knowledge of accessibility standards and best practices for print communications is preferred.

Knowledge of hinging, matting, and framing of works on paper; lighting; or object mount-making; and the presentation of new media.

Knowledge of safe art-handling practices.

Demonstrated understanding of methods and practices of exhibition installation.

Essential Tasks

Exhibition Planning and Design

Collaboratively plans and performs all aspects of museum exhibitions installations, including preparing gallery walls; packing and unpacking artwork; installing artwork; lighting the galleries; installing interpretive materials; and placing exhibition furniture.

Designs and produces a wide range of materials including exhibition graphics, educational materials related to exhibitions/collections, and exhibition branding and signage, ensuring consistency in typography use, imagery, graphic composition, and overall design execution.

Prepares production-ready files and oversees print and fabrication processes to ensure successful execution across various formats.

Coordinates with external vendors, printers, fabricators, and freelancers as needed.

Assists with the creation of department and exhibition budgets, contracting with UNC Greensboro facilities and offsite vendors, and facilitates visiting artists' needs during installations/deinstallations.

Partners with curators to develop exhibition designs and layouts.

Collaboratively plans and performs all aspects of museum exhibitions installations, including preparing gallery walls; packing and unpacking artwork; installing artwork; lighting the galleries; installing interpretive materials; and placing exhibition furniture.

Object Preparations

Prepares works of art for storage, exhibitions, teaching, and loans. Responsibilities include hinging, matting, and framing works on paper; preparing and maintaining paintings, sculpture, and new media presentations (video, audio, film, and digital); and making object mounts, supports, and housing.

Collections and Registration

Works in close coordination with the curator of collections and head of facilities, the registrar, and museum preparator to meet requirements for collections care and stewardship. Responsibilities include maintaining collections storage; supporting object conservation; facilitating loans; and supporting the processing and incorporation of new acquisitions.

Helps curator to develop collection care budgets.

Object Handling for Teaching

Supports teaching with the collection by providing art handling for collection study sessions.

Supports object photography through art handling to increase online access to the collection.

Team Support

Works with UNC Greensboro facilities, design and construction, and offsite vendors and supports all internal projects and contracted work as needed.

Physical Effort

Hand movement-repetitive motions - F Hand movement-grasping - F Holding - F Finger dexterity - O Vision-skilled trades - C Reading - O Writing - O Eye-hand coordination - C Vision-color distinction - R Vision-preparing/analyzing figures - F Vision-visual inspection - C Vision-measuring/assembling at distance close to eye - O Hearing - O Talking - O Standing - F Sitting - R Walking - C Lifting-0-30 lbs. - F Lifting-30-60 lbs. - C Lifting-60-90 lbs. - O Lifting-90 plus lbs. - R Pushing/pulling - F Climbing-ladders - O Bending - F Squatting - O Crawling - R Reaching - F

Work Environment

Driving - car/truck - R Equipment/machines - ladders - O Equipment/machines - step stools - F Equipment/machines - scaffolds - R Extreme noise levels - R Inside - C Outside - O Ventilation conditions-dust - R Ventilation conditions-fumes - R Ventilation conditions-chemicals - R Ventilation conditions-gases - R

Recruitment Range

$49,000 - $55,000

Org #-Department

Weatherspoon Art Museum - 11001

Job Open Date

08/17/2026

For Best Consideration Date

09/08/2026

Job Close Date

09/07/2026

Open Until Filled

No

FTE

1.000

Type of Appointment

Permanent

Number of Months per Year

12

FLSA

Non-exempt

Percentage of Time

30

Key Responsibility

Exhibition planning and design

Essential Tasks

Collaboratively plans and performs all aspects of museum exhibitions installations, including preparing gallery walls; packing and unpacking artwork; installing artwork; lighting the galleries; installing interpretive materials; and placing exhibition furniture.

Designs and produces a wide range of materials including exhibition graphics, educational materials related to exhibitions/collections, and exhibition branding and signage, ensuring consistency in typography use, imagery, graphic composition, and overall design execution.

Prepares production-ready files and oversees print and fabrication processes to ensure successful execution across various formats.

Coordinates with external vendors, printers, fabricators, and freelancers as needed.

Assists with the creation of department and exhibition budgets, contracting with UNC Greensboro facilities and offsite vendors, and facilitates visiting artists' needs during installations/deinstallations.

Partners with curators to develop exhibition designs and layouts.

Collaboratively plans and performs all aspects of museum exhibitions installations, including preparing gallery walls; packing and unpacking artwork; installing artwork; lighting the galleries; installing interpretive materials; and placing exhibition furniture.

Percentage of Time

25

Key Responsibility

Object preparations

Essential Tasks

Prepares works of art for storage, exhibitions, teaching, and loans. Responsibilities include hinging, matting, and framing works on paper; preparing and maintaining paintings, sculpture, and new media presentations (video, audio, film, and digital); and making object mounts, supports, and housing.

Percentage of Time

20

Key Responsibility

Collections and registration

Essential Tasks

Works in close coordination with the curator of collections and head of facilities, the registrar, and museum preparator to meet requirements for collections care and stewardship. Responsibilities include maintaining collections storage; supporting object conservation; facilitating loans; and supporting the processing and incorporation of new acquisitions.

Helps curator to develop collection care budgets.

Percentage of Time

15

Key Responsibility

Object handling for teaching

Essential Tasks

Supports teaching with the collection by providing art handling for collection study sessions.

Supports object photography through art handling to increase online access to the collection.

Percentage of Time

10

Key Responsibility

Team support

Essential Tasks

Works with UNC Greensboro facilities, design and construction, and offsite vendors and supports all internal projects and contracted work as needed.